Premont, A&M-Kingsville partnership

TODD YATES/CALLER-TIMES Michael Williams, Commissioner of Education, announced he had approved a proposal to the Texas Education Agency in a memorandum of understanding that establishes an academic partnership between Premont-ISD and Texas A&M University-Kingsville Tuesday during a press conference at the university.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

TODD YATES/CALLER-TIMES Michael Williams, Commissioner of Education, announced he had approved a proposal to the Texas Education Agency in a memorandum of understanding that establishes an academic partnership between Premont-ISD and Texas A&M University-Kingsville Tuesday during a press conference at the university.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

TODD YATES/CALLER-TIMES Premont Independent School District employees and school board members clap and give Michael Williams, Commissioner of Education, a stand ovation after he announced he had approved a proposal to the Texas Education Agency in a memorandum of understanding that establishes an academic partnership between Premont-ISD and Texas A&M University-Kingsville Tuesday during a press conference at the university.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

TODD YATES/CALLER-TIMES Michelle McClery and Hervey Jaranillo, Premont school board members, (left to right, center) hug after a press conference after Michael Williams, Commissioner of Education, announced he had approved a proposal to the Texas Education Agency in a memorandum of understanding that establishes an academic partnership between Premont-ISD and Texas A&M University-Kingsville Tuesday.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

TODD YATES/CALLER-TIMES Michelle McClery, Premont school board members, wipes tears from her eyes after the announcement that Michael Williams, Commissioner of Education, had approved a proposal to the Texas Education Agency in a memorandum of understanding that establishes an academic partnership between Premont-ISD and Texas A&M University-Kingsville Tuesday during a press conference at the university.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

TODD YATES/CALLER-TIMES Premont Independent School District employees and school board members read over the memorandum of understanding that establishes an academic partnership between Premont ISD and Texas A&amp;M University-Kingsville on Tuesday after a press conference at the university announcing the deal to keep the district open.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

TODD YATES/CALLER-TIMES Premont Elementary School Principal Cristina Lopez and pre-kindergarten teacher Letty Sanchez embrace after a staff meeting where the principal announced that the district would stay open under a partnership with Texas A&amp;M University-Kingsville to help teach and train the teachers.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

TODD YATES/CALLER-TIMES Students at Premont High School clap after hearing the news the school district will be allowed to stay open. The small town has been on edge for two years waiting to find out if its school district would remain open.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

TODD YATES/CALLER-TIMES Steven Tallant (left), Texas A&amp;M University-Kingsville president, and Ernest Singleton, Premont superintendent, shake hands after the announcement that the school and the university would establish an academic partnership.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

TODD YATES/CALLER-TIMES Premont Elementary School secretary Belia Waterhouse (left) and pre-kindergarten teacher Letty Sanchez embrace when they hear the news that Premont ISD will get a second chance. Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams announced Tuesday that the district would stay open under a partnership with Texas A&amp;M University-Kingsville to help teach and train the teachers.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

TODD YATES/CALLER-TIMES Premont Elementary School Principal Cristina Lopez gets choked up as she tells her staff about a press conference she attended Tuesday at Texas A&amp;M University-Kingsville where Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams announced the district would stay open.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

TODD YATES/CALLER-TIMES Premont Superintendent Ernest Singleton hugs school board member Carmela Garcia after the announcement Tuesday that the district would remain open.